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Here’s great news for transgender equality. Multnomah County in Oregon has become one of the first in the country to require that gender neutral bathrooms be included in all new construction projects. County board Chairman Jeff Cogen signed the executive order yesterday in the hopes that it will decrease stigma for transgender county employees and visitors when using public restrooms.

“Some folks have told us they literally have to wait and go home during the day to go to the bathroom,” he said. “Clearly, that is suffering no one should have to endure.”

The decision, which was timed to coincide with LGBT Pride month, has been praised by advocates for transgender equality, and signals a small, but important shift in the recognition of trans rights.

Here’s something that should make gay folks even prouder this Pride season. A new study has found that children of gay and lesbian parents are doing as well or better than the rest of the population. That finding is from a study of 500 Australian children by Melbourne University in the largest survey yet on the effects of same sex parenting.

An interim report found there was no statistical difference between children of same-sex couples and the rest of the population on indicators including self-esteem, emotional behaviour and the amount of time spent with parents.

However, children of same-sex couples scored higher than the national average for overall health and family cohesion, measuring how well the family members get along.

The researchers claim that children of same sex parents may be doing better because of more open communication.

‘Because of the situation that same-sex families find themselves in, they are generally more willing to communicate and approach the issues that any child may face at school, like teasing or bullying,” lead researcher Dr Simon Crouch said.

”This fosters openness and means children tend to be more resilient. That would be our hypothesis.’

While this may not be news to many of our readers, we’re happy to see science validate what many of us know. You only need love to make a family.

June is quite possibly our favorite month in Los Angeles. The weather is just getting warm (though not unbearable), the jacarandas are in bloom and the streets of WeHo are filled with anticipation for the annual Pride celebration. It’s also a great time to drop in to our store, where we’re hosting some of our most popular workshops, from BDSM and blowjobs, to gay sex and threesomes. Check it out!

Do you want to explore BDSM in the bedroom? Let our Sex Specialists show you how to plan a kinky scene, from negotiation to aftercare. We’ll discuss safety and communication, how to choose quality implements, and the basics of bondage, roleplay and more. Open to beginners and seasoned players alike. Singles welcome!

Get your laughs and lube in the same place. Join us for the return of the ever popular Performance Anxiety, a comedy night hosted by Eli Olsberg. For seven bucks, you can enjoy free beer, 15% off your purchases and live performances by some of the best comics working today. Guests TBA.

Want to have him squirming in his seat? Our Sex Specialists will show you how to use your mouth, hands, and more to give mind-blowing blowjobs. We’ll cover male anatomy, tips and tricks, the truths and myths of “deep throat” plus other sexy secrets that are sure to have him begging for more.

Come enjoy a discussion on the ins and outs of gay sex for men. Whether you’re in a long-term relationship or single and ready to mingle, this workshop will give you all the tools you need to have a hot sex life. Damon Holzum will cover a wide range of topics including topping and bottoming, oral tips and techniques, foreplay, common myths, flagging and much more. This class is open to all genders and orientations.

Get your laughs and lube in the same place. Join us for the return of the ever popular Performance Anxiety, a comedy night hosted by Eli Olsberg. For seven bucks, you can enjoy free beer, 15% off your purchases and live performances by some of the best comics working today. Guests TBA.

It’s a popular fantasy with twice the pleasure potential, but navigating a three-way romance (if only for one night) can be tricky. Sex educator Reid Mihalko will teach techniques to satisfy two lovers at once, ways to overcome fears and concerns, the most common threesome mistakes and how to avoid them, and how to negotiate boundaries and safer sex protocols to make your next ménage à trois très bien!

Summer is coming and while it’s still wet outside, things are heating up in our Chicago store. This coming month, we’ve got free workshops on everything from roleplay and strap-0n sex to orgasm and blowjobs. June comes to a big finish with the annual Pride Parade on June 30th. Drop by our shop and pick up some sexy skills you can use all summer long.

Wanna play doctor and patient? Or master and servant? Learn how to craft exciting and fun roleplay scenarios. We’ll cover the basics of safe, sane and consensual fantasy fulfillment, including negotiation, costumes, games, props and more.

This strap-on sex workshop is for anyone lesbian, queer, or dyke-identified. We’ll cover how to choose the best harness and dildo for you, enhancing satisfaction for both partners, double dildos, strap-on anal sex, owning your cock, queer gender expression, and sucking strap-on cock. A great class to learn the basics of dildo harnesses or pick up some new tips and tricks! FtM and MtF folks who love to (or want to learn how to) have great strap-on sex are welcome.

Get your laughs and lube in the same place. Join us for Performance Anxiety, a comedy night hosted by Caitlin Bergh and Rhea Butcher and featuring live performances by some of the best comics working today. As a bonus, all audience members get 15% off their purchases on the night of the show. Comics TBA.

Maybe you’ve never had one, maybe you have but you’re still not sure what all the fuss is about, or maybe you’re an orgasm overachiever with an unquenchable thirst for knowledge. Whatever your reason for taking this class, you’ll learn all about anatomy, techniques for coming with a partner or solo, how masturbation can help you expand your orgasm, G-Spot orgasms, anal orgasms, and, of course, our Sex Specialists’ favorite tips and toys.

Want to have him squirming in his seat? Our Sex Specialists will show you how to use your mouth, hands, and more to give mind-blowing blowjobs. We’ll cover male anatomy, tips and tricks, the truths and myths of “deep throat” plus other sexy secrets that are sure to have him begging for more.

French adult film actor, producer and director Francois Sagat has retired. The porn polymath has given few details about his decision, announced in this mysterious video shot outside Sleeping Beauty’s Castle in Disneyland. On his blog, Sagat says:

I have many projects coming out. I have been very busy and not posting here as much. I want to tell you everything. But I do not plan to make porn again. No regrets. Just new goals.

Incubus 2 was my last porn but will not be my last movie. Good to always go out on your high note and leave people wanting more. And more you will get, just not more of the same.

The Chicago Reader is conducting its annual “Best of Chicago” poll. We love Chicago. If you love us back, please consider voting for us as the “Best Sex Toy Shop” in Chicago.

We opened our first Chicago store in 1977 and have been a presence in the city’s LGBT and sex positive community ever since. We offer over 60 free workshops each year, a monthly comedy night and an annual erotic art show. We regularly hold benefits and donate to charities as varied as The Chicago Foundation for Women, Ronald McDonald House and Arcas Productions. For some background on our current location, check out this post from last year.

The Reader requires a name and email address to complete a ballot (though you don’t need to register.) Our category is the 19th question on the 1st page, in case you don’t have time to fill out all of the categories. You have until midnight on May 22nd to cast your ballot.

Thank you for your vote and thanks for supporting us for the past 36 years!